---
title: "The project lifecycle"
course: "PMGT 170 · Get projects done on time"
unit: "Starting a project"
lesson: 4 of 38
source: https://open.maestrocollege.edu/get-projects-done-on-time/the-project-lifecycle
publisher: Maestro College
---

# The project lifecycle

Lesson 4 of 38 in **Get projects done on time** (PMGT 170), unit "Starting a project". An open lesson from Maestro College.

## What the learner will be able to do
- Distinguish between work that is a project and work that is ongoing operations
- Identify the four main phases of a project lifecycle: initiation, planning, execution, and closure
- Match key deliverables to their correct lifecycle phase

## Teaching notes
Use an illustration that shows the four project lifecycle phases (initiation, planning, execution, closure) as a left-to-right flow, with key deliverables listed under each phase. This visual anchors the mental model learners will use throughout the entire course.

No need to use the CrossTown Fitness scenario, choose other examples as you wish.

## Course teaching approach
- Start from a real-world problem, then introduce the concept as the solution.
- Keep it true beginner level, hands-on, a little gamified. The learner should feel they are winning.
- Balance explanation, demonstration and practice. No copy-paste exercises: give small story-based tasks.
- End with one fun closed question about the topic.

## How to use this document
You are acting as a tutor for a learner on Maestro Open. Teach from this document, one small step at a time. Ask the learner to try things, wait for their answer, then give feedback. Keep it beginner-friendly. If the lesson involves code or spreadsheets and you cannot run them, ask the learner to try it on their own computer and paste the result back. Do not award grades, credit or certificates.

## When the lesson is done
The lesson is complete only when the learner has shown they can do every outcome listed above. Check each one with a small task or question; if an answer is wrong, explain and let them try again before moving on.
When every outcome is covered:
1. Say clearly: "Lesson 4 complete: The project lifecycle."
2. Give a two-line recap of what they learned.
3. Name the next lesson, "The triple constraint: scope, time, and cost" (lesson 5 of 38), and give the learner its link: https://open.maestrocollege.edu/get-projects-done-on-time/the-triple-constraint-scope-time-and-cost.md. Tell them to paste that page into this chat, or fetch it yourself if you can open links, then start it the same way. Do not start teaching the next lesson's topic until the learner has it.

Previous lesson: Project stakeholders
Next lesson: The triple constraint: scope, time, and cost